Janice Sand

TROY, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that it has acquired Lauritano Appraisal Services (LAS), a highly respected New York-based residential appraisal firm with more than 30 years of experience delivering high-quality valuation services.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Casino Party Planners, a leader in premium casino-themed entertainment, is proud to announce the opening of its newest office in Colorado. This expansion marks another milestone in the company's continued national growth, bringing its signature high-energy, professionally managed casino experiences to clients across Fort Collins, Denver, and surrounding regions.

LOWELL, Mass. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) will close its seventh season with "Heroism," a powerful and thought-provoking orchestral program on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Richard and Donahue Academic Arts Center in Middlesex Community College. True to LCO's mission, the concert is free and open to the public.

NAPLES, Fla. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Intetics Inc., a global technology company specializing in custom software development and AI-powered solutions, has achieved ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification, the world's first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS).

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- The Hiive Gym is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Las Vegas, a premier Precor showcase facility dedicated to fostering a welcoming, family-oriented fitness environment. The celebration took place on April 12 at 9375 South Rainbow Boulevard, #120, Las Vegas, NV 89139.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Industrial SalesLeads released its March 2026 planned capital project spending report for the Industrial Manufacturing industry tracking North American capital project activity across new plant construction, facility expansions, and equipment modernization projects. This month's research confirms 165 new planned projects.

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Epic fantasy author Michal Snaerravn announces the completion of his acclaimed trilogy, "The Chronicles of Hadúr," with the release of "Mist of Akhlys" (ISBN: 978-1834181714), published December 21, 2025, through Tellwell Publishing, alongside the launch of a new, free tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) campaign series inspired by the books.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- ViewTech Borescopes, a leading provider of industrial video borescopes, will return as an exhibitor at the Metalcasting Congress, hosted by the American Foundry Society. The event will take place April 14-16 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, bringing together industry professionals, manufacturers, and innovators from across the metalcasting sector.

PLANO, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today released its March 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, reflecting resilient mortgage activity as purchase demand strengthened despite higher rates. Total rate-lock volume rose 13% month over month (MoM) and 26% year over year (YoY). Purchase activity led the month, with purchase lock volume up 38% from February and 20% from March 2025. Cash-out refinance volume increased 9% MoM and 21% YoY, while rate-and-term refinance volume declined 34% from February but remained more than 66% higher YoY.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Veteran studio drummer and record producer Howard Farber is marking the 60th anniversary of the novelty smash "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" - a record on which Farber performed all drums, tambourines, and hand clapping, and for which he also coined the name Napoleon XIV.

NOVI, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Vice Capital Markets, a leading mortgage hedge advisory firm for independent lenders, banks and credit unions, announced today that it now supports new 30-year fixed-rate specified-cash payup commitment grids from Fannie Mae, which became effective April 9, 2026.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Ethical Advocate, a Chapel Hill-based provider of ethics and compliance reporting solutions, today announced the release of an updated version of its Ethical Advocate online web application, designed to meet the accessibility requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The updated platform fully conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, the federal standard now required for all state and local government websites and mobile applications.

ADDISON, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced the appointment of Delores Lopez as chief operating officer, effective April 6. In this role, Lopez will lead operations, drive scalable growth initiatives and implement operational strategy across the organization, reporting to Ian Kimball, president.

NOVI, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Vice Capital Markets, a leading mortgage hedge advisory firm for independent lenders, banks and credit unions, announced today that two new Freddie Mac Cash-Specified Payup Types (CSPTs) for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are now available through Vice Capital for both mandatory and best-efforts executions. The new payup types became effective in production on April 6, 2026.

BOULDER CITY, Nev. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Joshua Fagerness of Rochester, Washington crossed the finish line first at Let It Ride 5, held March 27-29 at Boulder City, Nevada. USA EUC - the national sanctioning body for competitive electric unicycle racing - announced the results of the event, the third stop on the 2026 USA EUC National Championship Circuit, following King of the Motos and King of the Hammers.

BALTIMORE, Md. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Hearing loss affects one in three adults over age 65 and is a leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. In its latest Brain Bytes micro-cast, AgingIN, a national leader advancing innovation in eldercare, features neuroscientist Kelly Tremblay, PhD, who highlights growing evidence that reframes hearing loss as a critical, and often overlooked, brain health issue.

AUSTIN, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Kitsap Credit Union has selected FirstClose to support its home equity lending operations with a bundled, end-to-end digital tool.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, today announced that its Director of Sales Thomas Rasmuson has been named a 2026 Rising Star by HousingWire. The annual HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes standout professionals under 40 who are making a significant impact on the housing industry through leadership, innovation and measurable business results.

TROY, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), today announced that Amanda Standley, vice president of business development for Bluebird Valuation, a Class Valuation company, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Rising Star. The HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes emerging leaders under 40 in mortgage and real estate who are leading change and making a meaningful impact on their organizations. This year, 75 young professionals were named to the list.

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Protective apparel manufacturer Kappler®, Inc. marks its 50th anniversary on April 1, with a twist of corporate irony around the company's April Fools' founding date in 1976. As millions of emergency responders and safety professionals can attest, Kappler's innovative chemical suits are no joking matter.